Motor-in-wheel drive



Aug. 26, 1952 F. E. HAwKlNs ETAL MOTOR- IN-WHEEL. DRIVE 6 Sheets-Sheet lFiled July 22, 1950 F. E. HAWKINS ET AL Aug. 26, 1952 MOTOR- IN-WHEEL.DRIVE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1950 Aug. 26, 1952 F. E. HAWKINSETAL MOTOR-IN-WHEEL DRIVE Filed July 22, 1950 FIGB 6 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTORS. FREDERICK E. HAWKINS ROBERT LAPSLEY GEORGE L. TU ER BY/,swWJ? www AT TY-S.

F. E. HAWKINS ET AL MOTOR- IN-WHEEL DRIVE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July22, 1950 FIG. l

im R

mmmN,

MHLR T IKL Aug. 26, `-1.952 F. E. HAwKlNs ETAL MOTOR-IN-WHEEL DRIVE 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Fl'ed July 22. 1950 i INVEN'roR FREDERICK E. HAwKlNsROBERT LAPSLEY GEORGE L.T RNER F. E. HAWKINS ETAL Aug. 26, 1952 MOTOR-IN-WHEEL DRIVE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 22, 1950 1N VEN TORS.FREDERICK E. HAWKNS ROBERT LAPSLEY GEORGE L T RNER BY num,

AT T Ys.

Patented Aug. 26, 1952 MOTOR-IN-WHEEL DRIVE Frederick E. Hawkins, Niles,Robert Lapsley, Berrien Springs, and George L. Turner, Buchanan, Mich.,assignors to Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, Mich., a corporation ofMichigan Application July 22, 1950, serial No. 175,376

17 Claims.

Ourinvention relates to a combination motor and drive means disposedwithin a` wheel for driving the latter.

, It is an object of our invention to provide a compact combinationmotor and drive means which may be disposed within 'a wheel for drivingthe latter.

We propose to providexa prime mover, as, for example, an electric motor,having an outer casing to which is secured a pair of end cap members,one atseach end thereof, and each having portions extending axially yofthe armature shaft of the motor. Disposed about the casing of the primemover in concentric relation thereto is a wheel housing having endclosure members which are rotatably journaled on the axially extendingportions of the cap members at theends of the motor casing. The armatureshaft extending axially outwardly of the casing of the electric motor inthe specific embodiment, herein disclosed, of our invention, serves asan output shaft which, through suitable drive means, is adapted tokeffect rotation of the rotatable wheel housing when the end cap membersof the motor casing are held rigid. Mounted to the outer periphery ofthe rotatable wheel housing, intermediate of the ends thereof, is a tireassembly through which drive is adapted to be effected to the ground.

It is another object of our invention to provide support means for theend cap members of the prime mover, of a character which will permit thecombinationmotor and drive means to be removed easily from the supportmeans for servic- We propose to provide a pair of vertically extendingspaced apart plate members Which are secured attheir upper ends to acommon horizontally extending frame member. One of the cap members forthe prime mover has formed adjacentits outer end an annular bead whichis vadapted to seat within an opening formed in one of the platemembers. The other of the end cap members has formed in its outer end anaxially extending opening, which opening is adapted to receive thereduced end portion of a pilot shaft. The pilot shaft has anintermediate portion which is disposed within an opening formed in theother plate member, and has an enlarged flange portion which is adaptedto be secured to the outer face of the plate member. Itwill be observedthat the above described support means permits the combination motor anddrive means to be removed easily from lthe support'means for servicing.That is, by removing the pilot shaft from the other end cap member, themotor and drive means construction may be shifted axially permitting thebead portion of the one end cap member to be withdrawn from theassociated opening in the adjacent plate member. f

It is a further object of our invention toxprovide an end cap memberadjacent one end of the. motor casing which will permit power lines tobe lead therethrough, into the rotatable wheel housing for supplyingpower to the prime mover.,

. We have formed a central cavity within the one end cap member, whichcavity opens, through radially extending openings, inwardly oftherotatable wheel housing. The power lines are then lead through theopening in the one plate member, lthe cavity and radially extendingopenings in the one end cap member, and then into the interior of therotatable wheel housing. The power lines are suitably connected to theprime mover for supplying power thereto.

It is a further object of our invention to provide drive means betweenthe output shaftv of the prime mover and the rotatable wheel housingwhich will effect a substantial speed reduction therebetween, and adrive means having a minimum axial and radial extent.

The other end cap member, for supporting the prime mover, comprises twocoaxial spaced apart cylindrical portions interconnected by anintegralweb portion. Disposed about the end cap member is a substantiallyU-shaped inverted frame member with the bight portion thereof fixed tothe web portion of the cap member. A pinion is secured to the outputshaft of the prime mover, intermediate of the legs of the U-shapedframe, member. Three parallel spaced apart lay shafts havetheir endsjournaled in the legs kof their shaped frame member. The rstlay shaftliesy below a horizontal median plane passi-ng through the output shaftat one side of a vertical vmedian planepassing through the output shaft;the Asec,-

ond lay shaft lies below the horizontalmedianl plane in the verticalmedian plane; and the thirdv lay shaft lies below the horizontalmedianwplane, at the opposite side of the vertical median plane as therst layr shaft. A rst compound gear is journaled on the first lay shaftand has a first gear portion which meshes with the pinion on the outputshaft. A second compound gear is jour# naled on the second lay shaft,and has a rst gear portion which meshes with a second gear portion ofthe first compound gear. A gear is journaled on the third lay shaftandmeshes `with a vsecondgear ,portion` ofthe second compound gear land3 with an internal ring gear carried by the rotatable wheel housing.

It is still a further object of our invention to provide a chamberadjacent one end of the rotatable wheel housing wherein the drive meansmay be disposed.

We propose toaccomplish the above object by providinga radially inwardlyextending ilange adjacent one end of the rotatable wheel housing, whichflange preferably is formed integral therewith. The ange is axiallyspaced from the adjacent end closure member of the rotatable wheelhousing, and the ilange, together with the end closure member, defines achamber which encloses the drive means, thus permitting the latter to berun in a bath of oil.

It is a still further object of .our invention to` provide mountingmeans for the ring gear, whereby the latter may be rigidly and easilysecured to the rotatable wheel housing.

We propose ito .provide a rotatable `Wheelhousing -comprising acylindrical portion having. an :inwardly` facing annular groove formedinthe end thereof, .Which annular groove is adapted to receive the ringgear. The ring gearA is maintained in the annular groove by an endclosure member, which, in turn, 'is secured to the cylindrical -portionof the rotatable wheel housing by means of a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced bolts. To hold th'e ring gear against rotation,with respect to the rotatable housing, circumferentially spaced notchesare formed in'theouter periphery thereof, which notches are adapted toalign with the bolts holding the'end closure member'to therotatableWheel housing.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled inthe art'v with the manner ofconstructing and-'using devices vin accordance withl the principles ofour present invention, rwe shall describe,l iny connection with theaccompanying drawings, apreferred embodiment of our invention. l'

In the drawings:

YFigure lis a vertical sectional view taken along the lengthwiseextending median plane of the motorinwheel construction of ourpresenting-l vention';

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along theline'Z-Zof Figure 1, looking in tlidire'ction indicated by the arrows, showingthe divemans of our 'present invention;

' "Fi'gurB is a schematic view of the drivemeans ofrvis'iirea;Ak

"Figure 4 is a vertical end View showing the. mounting terminalsfor theelec'ztrical lcables `of` mounting terminals for the power cables;

"Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the substantially U-shapedinverted frame member pro.

vided/'for supporting the drive means of our pres-y ent'ifnvention; andr' Figure '7 is a front View of the frame member ofi-lig'urei.

- Referring now to Figure 1 there is shownthe motor-in-wheelconstruction of ourpresent in;- v'ention which may, for example, beadapted to rotatably support a horizontally extending frame member II)of an industrial truck. The horizontallyy extending frame member I isadapted to be. rotatably supported upon a horizontally extendingcircular ring member I I which comprises a portion of the support meansof the motor and wheel. The frame portion I I is provided with anretaining rin'gs 40.

Secured, as by bolts 44, to the casing lofthe;

4 annular upwardly extending rim portion I 2, which, at its uppermostend, has formed integrally therewith a laterally outwardly extendingannular flange portion, which lateral flange portion is adapted to bereceived within a circumferentially continuous groove I3uformed inwardlyof the edges of th frame.nrember.y Ii.l Anti-friction balls' AIII areprovided between the frame lmembers I and II for permitting relativerotation therebetween. Secured to the underside of the frame member II,adjacent opposite edges thereof, are a pair of vertically downwardlyextending plate members I 5 and I6.

lDisposed intermediate the plate members I5 and I6 is a prime mover,indicated generally by the reference numeral I l, which, for purposes ofillustration, comprises an electric motor. The electric motor has acylindrical casing I8 to which, at the left end thereof, as viewed inFigure 1, is secured, as by a plurality of circumferentially spacedbolts 2I, an end cap member 20 having a portion extending axiallyfofrthearmature shaft of the motor. The axially extendingapor, tion of the endcap member 20r has a central cavity formed therein, together with aplurality of radially extending! circumferentially. spaced openings 2|having connection with the central cavity. The axially extendingportionof-thend cap member 20, adjacent its outer end, is formedwith an annularbead portion 22, which bead por-' tion is adapted to seat Vwithin anopening formedy in the plate member I6." The rend cap'member 20 issecured to the plate Vmember I6 'by means. of a pluralityy ofcircumferentiallyspaced bolts Y 23. Mounted on the outer periphery'oftheaxially extending 4portion of the end cap. member :20 is a ballbearing assembly 26which 'adapted/to rotatably support anl end closuremember"-'.;'I. The hub of the end closure member 2f! is inainl' tainedin concentric relationwith respect tothe ball bearing assembly 26, bymeans of circular retaining members 28V and l29 which are disposed;- oneon each side of the ball Vbearing assembly 26`V and are secured, as by.a plurality offc'irc'um'- ferentially spaced bolts 3 0, 'totheend'clsuremember 2I.v

The end closureL member 2I is adapted to prog vide a support for a'lengthwise extending"cr n,

drical wheel housing or casing 3?., the Acylindr 'al housing 33 beingsuitably securedr to qthe er peripheral edges of the end'closurehiembril, as by means'of a plurality of'cir'cum'fwentialgly spaced bolts 34.The cyl'ndrical'h gml'awis` me assembly sa and is held againstaxigl'pieve-.f

ment with respect thereto, by of .bessere-.1.,

electric motor Il is an end-cap member `43 vhav ng a portion extendingaxially of thearrnature hs'hwft of the motor. The axiallyextendg'prtioror theend cap member 43 comprises a'pair'ocoaxi allyaligned spaced apart cylindrical portions 45 and 45 which areinterconnected adjacent their upper ends by means of an integrallyformed web portion 41. Theouter cylindrical portion 45 of the end capmember 43 is adapted to support the ball bearing assembly 39. Disposed.within-the outer cylindrical portion'45 is the reduced end portion of apilot shaft 48. The pilot shaft 48 has an intermediate enlarged portion49 which is adapted to be disposed within an opening formed in the platemember I5. The pilot shaft 48 has formed at its outer end an enlargedange portion 50 which is adapted to be suitably secured to the outersurface of the plate member I5, by means of bolts 5|.

It will also be observed that the above described support means permitsthe motor I1 and drive means to be removed easily for servicing. Thatis, by removing the pilot shaft 48 from the end cap member 43, and thebolts 23 which secure the end cap member 28 to the plate member I6, themotor and drive means may be shifted axially, permitting the beadportion 22 of the end cap member 28 to be withdrawn from the opening inthe plate member I5. The motor and drive means may then b-e withdrawnfrom between the plate members I5 and I5.

Formed integrally with the cylindrical wheel housing 33, adjacent theright end of electric motor I1, as viewed in Figure 1, is a radiallyinwardly extending flange portion 52. A central opening is formed in theflange member52 and an oil seal ring 53 is disposed between the innerperiphery of the flange member 52 and theouter periphery of the innercylindrical portion 45 of the axially extending portion of the end capmem,- bcr 43. It will thus be observed that the inwardly extendingflange member 52 and the end closure member 31 define a chamber 54 in'which is disposed the drive means of our present invention.

Disposed within the cavity 54 is a substantially U-shaped inverted framemember 55 which, as best shown in Figures 6 and '1, comprises a verticalplate member 55 having a laterally extending web portion adjacent theupper end thereof, to which is secured, as by bolts 51, a verticallyextending plate member 58. The plate members 55 and 58 are spaced attheir lower ends by means of a spacer member 62 formed integrally withplate member 55 and bolted toplate member 58. The frame member 55 isadapted to be disposed over the web portion 41 of the axially extendingportion of the end cap member 43 secured to the casing I8 of theelectric motor I1. The frame member-55 is held against rotation, withrespect to the end cap 1nember43, by means of a Woodruff key 8|. Theframe member 55 is held against axial movement in one direction by meansof a shoulder 59 formed in the periphery of the inner cylindricalportion 45 of the end cap member 43, and in the other direction by meansof a retaining ring 68 which is disposed within an annular lgrooveformed in the outer cylindrical portion 46 of the end cap member 43.

As shown in Figure 7, three pair of circumferentially spaced openings63, 64, and 65 are formed in the plate members 5S and 5B of the framemember 55. When the frame member 55 is assembled in position in themotor-in-wheel construction of our presentI invention, the openings 63-lie below a horizontal median plane passing through the output shaft 61,at one side of a vertical median plane passing through the output shaft61; the openings E4 lie below the horizontal median plane in thevertical median plane; and

the openings lie below the horizontal median plane at the opposite sideof the vertical median plane, as the openings E3. The openings 63, 54,and t5 are provided for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Extending outwardly of the ends of the casing I8 of the electric motorI1 is a rotatable output shaft t1 which, at its left end, as viewed inFigure l, is journaled within a ball bearingY assembly (i5 mounted inthe cavity in the end cap member EQ. The output shaft S1, at its otherend, has secured thereon, as by a key 15, a pinion member E5. Referringnow to Figure 3, there is shown the drive means of our present inventioncomprising a meshing gear train which, for the sake of clarity, is shownwith the axes of the gears in one plane. The pinion member 63 has at itsouter end a gear portion 1I which is adapted to have meshing engagementwith the first gear portion 12 of a first compound gear member 13,rotatably journaled by means of needle bearings 14 on a lay shaft 75.The ends of the lay shaft 15 are disposed within the openings 53 formedin the frame member 55.

The first compound gear 13 has a second gear portion "H5 which isadapted to have meshing engagement with the rst gear portion 11 of asecond compound gear member 18, which is rotatably journaled, as bymeans of needle bearings (not shown), on a lay shaft 19. The ends of thelay shaft 19 are disposed within the openings 54 in the frame member 55.

The second compound gear 1x3 has a second gear portion 5c which isadapted to have meshing engagement with a gear portion Si of a gearmember 32, which is rotatably journaled, as by meansof needle bearings(not shown), on al lay shaft 83. The lay shaft 83 has its ends disposedwithin the opening 55 in the frame member 55. The gear portion 8l of thegear member 82 is adapted to have meshing engagement with theaforedescribed ring gear member 36. secured within the rotatable wheelhousing 33.

It will thus be observed that drive is effected from the rotatableoutput shaft G1 of the electric motor I1 to the ring gear 36 of therotatable wheel housing 33, by means of the pinion 1 I, gear portion 12,gear portion 1G, gear portion 11, gear portion 80, and gear portion 8l.lThe gear members 13, 18, and 82 are axially spaced between platemembers 5G and 58 of the frame member 55, by means of thrust washers 85,secured to the inner faces of the plate members 5G and 58, by means ofpin members 81.

Since the chamber 55, defined by end closure member 31 and radiallyinwardly directed flange member 52, is substantially sealed against oilleakage, it will be understood that the gears dis-VV posed within thechamber 54 may be run continuously in an oil bath. A suitable drain plugmember 85 is provided adjacent the lower end of the end closure member31.

Electrical power is transmitted to the elec tricjmotor l1 through aplurality of cables 81 which are suitably secured to a plurality ofcirout through the opening formed in the plateV member l5. The free endsof the plurality of electrical cables S1 are then -suitably secured to aplurality of terminals 89 provided adjacent the upper-end of the platemember I6. The ex v The l DOSedeportons-.oftheterminalsiBQ andthecablesV 8T; are-.enclosed by-meansof aI closure member 9U;Whichjs-.suitablysecured; to the plate-mem ben; Iliff by; means of a,plurality. ofi angle flange members 9|, as shown best in Figurel;

A slotrlf is formedat-the lower,v end of: plate member I6 and isprovidedso that the power cables'l.' after being unsecured, from the ter-vminals: 89;l maybe removed with themotor I1 when` the latter andthedrive-.means are being,

withdrawn from between theplate members I5..

andA I6.

Secured tothe outerperiphery ofthe rotatable Wheel-f housing. is a Vtireconstruction` comprising a1 cylindrical' sleeve Str and a tire afor.effecting drive from the. rotatablewheel housing to the: ground..

From the foregoing` description, it will be.. realizeditha-t .when-thepower. is. admitted through theecables-l; to the-electric motor Il;the-shaft 61: will rotatewhich will` effectl rota-ry. movement.of'therpinion 'Ilwhiclr through the.v gear portion '12, gearportion l,lgear portion 11; gear portion 8.0; gear-portion 8 I, and ring gear 3S.,will` cause rotation of the rotatable wheel housing 33.. Since-thecasing lll' of the electric motor IT: is suitablysecured to thespaced-apart vertically. downwardly-extending plate members l5y and? I6,through the end.r cap members 2i); and 43; the-casing. Hlisheld againstrotation, which provides asuitablereaction point iordriving thecylindrical housing 3.3:

While we have-shown and describedwhab we believeto be arpreferredembodiment of; our p resent-.invention it wi-llbe-understood thatvarious rearrangements and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and;

scope of. our present invention.

We cla-im:

1; A motor-infwfheel' construction comprising-a pain of verticallyextending spacedj apart plate members, a prime mover including-acasingdisposed-intermediate said'plate members, a pair of end-`caprmembers having.- axially extending portions-one secured-to eachend'ofy said casing, one of-saidlendcap members having-an annular ybeadformed at the outerfend thereof adapted to lseatwithin-anopening--formed in the adjacent plate member, the other of saidend cap members having a central'opening-formed therein, a pilotsha-ftdisposed through an opening in the plate member adjacent saidlast-named end' cap mem-k ber-andex-tending-into the centralopeningthere- 1n,means for mounting said pilot shaft to said plate member, anYoutput shaft extending-- from said prime mover, a rotatable housingdisposed about said prime mover intermediate-said plate members, drivemeans between said output shaft andisaidlrotatable housing, for electingdriving connection,therebetween, anda tire mounted onv said 'rotatablehousing.

2,., A motorfin-wheel construction comprising a pairA Qfverticallyextending spaced apart plate members, a prime mover including a casingdisposed intermediate said plate members, apair ofA end Acap membershaving axially extending por-- tions one secured-to each endof saidcasing, one

of saidend cap members having-an-annular-bead. formedatf the outer endthereof adapted to seat;-4

wit-hin an opening formedin the-adjacent plate member, the other of saidend capmembers.- havinga central opening-formed therein, a pilotshatt--having-an intermediate portion disposeclinv an'-openi-ng-formedfin the plate `member adjacent sai-d other end capmember, said pilot shaft hav-- ing arreducedzportion extending into @theopening.; in .said other-endscapvmember-.,means for mount. ingsaid-ipilot.-A shaft. to Asaid platev member, said.

other end cap-memberbeing. axially. spaced from theadjacentplatelmember, an output shafty ex.- tending fromsaid primemover,V a.rotatable house ing; disposed; about said. prime mover intermefdiate-.said plate '.members, drive means between saidoutput shaft: andsaidrotatable housing for.v

effecting driving;-l connectiontherebetween, andV a*tireimountedonsaidirotatable housing.

3;. Az moto.rein-wheel.Y construction comprisingv apair-offvertioallyextending spacedapart plate members,- aprirne moverincluding` a casing disfposed intermediate said plate members, a pairof: endv cap; members having axially.V extending portionsonesecured to:each f endf of: said4 casing, means for-mounting. said. end cap members.to

headlenl' plate members, a; rotatable wheel.,

housing disposed.about-.saml prime mover inter.-

Inedate sadxplato-members, said rotatable wheel housing, comprising aycylindrical portion havinga radiall inwardly extending flange adjacentone end merecan end closure member securedto seid;V one-y endg; of;.Said-- cylindrical portion, said radiallyrinwardlr extending; aneeandsaid endy closure member defining,A a4 chamber, an outputshaftextending-f-rom said prime ,mover into said chamber,and-,drive-means-disposed in said chamber; ier eiecting drivingconnectionr between said.

output: shaft. and saidf rotatable wheel housing.

4; Amotor inwheel 'construction comprising a patri-ofverticallyextending spaced. apart; plate members, aprirnemoyeri-ncluding-.a casingY dis-.-

- posedint,ermediate said` plate-members, a pair 0f. end canmemhersghaving: axially extending.r portionsfone secured toeach end-of`said, casing,-

meanS-.i for mounting said-end. cap members to the-adjacentplate-members, a rotatable wheel housing disposed about, said; primemover inter-f mediate vsaidgplate members, saidrotatable kwheel housingcomprisingr a.` cylindricalA portion havingv a .radiallyinwardly-extending,flange adjacent one end` thereof, anend closuremember secured` to said one/fend ofsaidxcylindrical portiomsaid endclosure; member bei-ng; journaled on the axiallyextendingfportionfoftheadjacent end cap member... a, ring--gearyinterposed between saidcyl-indricalportionxand-sa-idend closuremember, said..

radially; inwardly-extending flange and' said end closllln memberCteningachamber, an output.

shaftl extendingfrom; said pri-me mover into said.v chamber,dri-Ye,meansfdisposed in said chamberfor enectingdriving-,connection.betweensaid. out-- putsh-aft and saldi-ring gear, anda tire-mounted..

on said rotatable wheel'housing.

5,.- A- rnotoi.-iii-wheelv construction comprising a pairofrverticallyrextendingspaced apart'. plate menrloers,.a,.prime;rmover,v including a casing disV posed intermediate said plate members, apair.'

' of endfoap members onesecu-red to each end ofsaid;casing;oneofsaidiend cap members com-- a4 pairofverticallyextending spaced apart platei9 members, a prime moverincluding a casing disposed intermediate said'plate members, a pair ofend cap members one secured to each end of said casing, one of said endcap members comprising a pair of coaxially aligned spaced apartcylindrical portions inter-connected by a web portion, a pilot shaftcarried by the adjacent plate member disposed within the outercylindrical portion of said one end cap member, means for mounting saidother end cap member to said other plate member, an output shaftextending from said prime mover, a rotatable wheel housing disposedabout said prime mover intermediate said plate members, drive meansinterme- .diate said cylindrical portionsv for effecting drivingconnection between said output shaft and said rotatable wheel housing,and a tire mounted on said rotatable housing.

7. A motor-in-wheel construction comprising a pair of verticallyextending spaced apart plate members, a prime mover including a casingdisposed intermediate said plate members, a pair of end cap members onesecured to each end oi. said casing, one of said end cap memberscomprising a pair of coaxially aligned spaced apart cylindrical portionsinter-connected by a web portion, a pilot shaft carried by the adjacentplate member disposed within the outer cylindrical portion of said oneend cap member, means for mountingr said other end cap member to saidother plate member, an output shaft extending from said prime moverthrough said inner cylindrical portion of said one end cap member, arotatable housing disposed about said prime mover intermediate saidplate members, drive means intermediate said cylindrical portions foreffecting driving connection between said output shaft and saidrotatable housing, and a tire mounted on said rotatable housing.

8. A motor-in-wheel construction comprising a pair o-f verticallyextending spaced apart plate members, a prime mover including a casingdisposed intermediate said plate members, a pair of end cap members onesecured to each end of said casing, one of said end cap memberscomprising a pair of coaxially aligned spaced apart cylindrical portionsinterconnected by a web portion, means for mounting said end cap membersto the adjacent plate members, an output shaft extending from said primemover, a rotatable wheel housing disposed about said prime moverintermediate said plate members, said rotatable wheel housingcomprisinga cylindrical portion having an end closure member secured to one endthereof, said end closure member being journaled on the outercylindrical portion of said one end cap member, and drive meansintermediate said cylindrical portions of said one end cap member foreffecting driving connection between said output shaft and saidrotatable wheel housing.

9. A motor-in-wheel construction comprising a pair of verticallyextending spaced apart plate members, a prime mover including a casingdisposed intermediate said plate members, a pair of end cap members onesecured to each end of said casing, one of said end cap memberscomprising a pair of coaxially aligned spaced apart cylindrical portionsinterconnected by a web portion, a pilot shaft carried by the adjacentplate member disposed within the outer cylindrical portion of said oneend cap member, means for mounting said other end cap member to saidother plate member, an output shaft extending` from said prime mover, arotatable wheel housing dispQSQdv about said prime mover intermediatesaid plate members, said rotatable Wheel housing comprising acylindrical portion having an end closure member secured to one endthereof, said end closure member being journaled on the outercylindrical portion of said one end cap member, drive means intermediatesaid cylindrical portions of said one end cap member for eifectingdriving connection between said output shaft and said rotatable wheelhousing, and a tire mounted on said rotatable housing. v

10. A motor-in-wheel construction comprising a pair of verticallyextending spaced apart plate members, a prime mover including a casingdisposed intermediate said plate members, a pair of end cap members onesecured to eachyend of said casing, one of said end cap members'comprising a pair of coaxially aligned spaced apart cylindrical portionsinter-connected by a web portion, means for mounting said end capmembers to the adjacent plate members, an` output shaft extending fromsaid prime mover through said inner cylindrical portion of vsaid'onexendVcap member, a rotatable wheel housing disposed Labout said prime moverintermediate said plate members, said rotatable wheel housing comprisinga cylindrical portion having an end closure member secured to one endthereof, an internal ring gear interposed between said cylindricalportion of said rotatable wheel housing and said end closure member,said end closure member being journaled on the outer cylindrical portionof said one end cap member, drive means intermediate said cylindricalportions of said one end cap member for effecting driving connectionbetween said output shaft and said rotatable wheel housing, and a tiremounted on said rotatable housing. l1. The motor-in-wheel constructionof claim l0 wherein said drive means comprises a pinion secured to saidoutput shaft and meshing gears between said pinion and said ring gear.

12. A motor-in-wheel construction comprising a pair of verticallyextending spaced apart plate members, a prime mover including a casingdisposed intermediate said plate members, a pair of end cap membersliaving axially extending portions one secured to each end of saidcasing, means for mounting said end cap members to the adjacent platemembers, an output shaft extending from said prime mover, a piniononsaid output shaft, a rotatable wheel housing disposed about said primemover` intermediate said plate members, aninternal ring gear carried byysaid rotatable wheel housing, a substantially U-shaped inverted framemember disposed over said one end cap member and secured thereto, threeparallel spaced apart lay shafts, the ends of said lay shafts beingjournaled in the legs of said vinverted U-shaped frame member, a rstcompound f gear journaled on the rst of said lay shafts having a rstgear portion meshing with said pinion, said rst compound gear having asecond gear portion, a second compound gear journaled on the second ofsaid lay shafts having a rst gear portion meshing with said second gearportion of said first compound gear, said second compound gear having asecond gear portion, and a gear journaled on the third of said layshafts having meshing engagement with said second gear portion of saidsecond compound gear and having meshing engagement with said ring gear.

13. A inotor-in-wheel construction comprising a pair of verticallyextending spaced apart plate members, a prime mover including a casingdisposed intermediate said plate members, apair of Iend capi members.having. axially. extending :por-

-tions1one secured to each end of saidl casing, lfineans forymountingsaid endcap members to the la'djacent plate members, an outputshaft extendingfrom said primemoverfa pinion on saidfout- Iput shaft, sa 'rotatable wheel housing .disposed about said prime mover.intermediate `said plate c-rmembers,aninternalringlgear carried by saidrotatablewvheel housing, asubstantially. U -shaped l inverted 'framemember disposed over l.said vrone end cap member, three parallel spacedapart' lay shaftsthe ends of. said lay shafts' being journaled :infth'elegs of said. inverted U-shaped frame member;thefiirst'n'f said layshafts lying below a horv'l-izontalrmedianplane passing 'through saidvoutput@shaftat' one .side of a vertical median .plane"passinglthroughsaid output shaft, .the ksecond bflsaid `f lay shaftslying below said horizontal median plane l in said Avertical medianplane, the

@said pinion,.said rst compound gear having :a vsecnnd'gearportion, 'asecond compound gear *journale'df onthe second. of. said lay: shaftshavingra. rstgear 'portionV meshingwith said second 4l`gear :portion ofsaid frst compound gear, .f said 4lsecond: compoundgear having a second.gear porition, and .agear :journaled on the third of said .lay vvshaftshaving .meshing engagement with '.fsaidsecond. gear. portion vof saidsecond compound .gearf andi having 'meshing engagement Ywith lsaidfrin'gfgear.

.'14, A'. motor-in-wheel construction comprising A:ac-.pair ofkvertically.extending spaced apart plate wmembersgaprimemover includinga casing dis- ..pos'e`d intermediatersaidplate members, Yapair of lend;cap members one secured to each end of said casing, one of said endcaprnernbers comprising aavpair of. coaXially aligned spaced-apartcylindri- -cal portions interconnected by a web portion, `means fformounting said-endv cap 'members to -the :adjacent plate 1 members,lanoutput -shaft eX- "tending -from` said prime mover through said'innercylindrical portion. of said `one end cap member, a rotatable wheelhousing disposed about ysaid i-prime mover intermediate said #platemembers, -'said .rotatable Wheel housing comprising a:cylindrical-portion having an end closure memlbe'r secured to -V`oneendthereof, Van internal Aring .gear interposed'between saidcylindricaljportion .of said rotatable .Wheel housing and said -end`-closure member, said end closure fmernber being yiournaled'on theouterfcylindical portion-of Ysaid one end cap Vmember a substantiallykU-sh-aped 'inverted-frame member,the blight portion of saidrvU-shape'ol framemember being iixed to'said web portion of said 4oneend cap memben Va "pinionV Asecured Ato said Aoutput shaft, 'threeparallel spaced apart lay shafts, the ends of said lay shafts beingjournaled inthe legs of said inverted 'Ueshaped frame member, aVfirstcompoundgear 'iournal'ed on the rst of .said lay shafts having [arst gearportion meshing vvithA said pinion, said .iirstcom-pound gearhaving a second gearportion,

.,asecond compound gear vjournaled on the secl end .of .said layshaftshaving a ,first gear por- 'prime .mover rintermediate saidpdricalsportion having'a radially ingflange adjacent one end thereof, anend clo- -sure member. securedlto said one end of saidcylindrical-por'"tion,'said end closure member being awardly extendingila-nge and `tion .of :said 'second -.compound :gear zandhaving imeshingengagement with saidlringggearg.

15. Agmotor-in-wheel construction .comprising al pair :of .coaxiallyaligned spaced apart' cylindrical aportions interconnected by '.a web`portion, ,means for mounting :said end v.cap .'memberswto .the adjacentvplate memberszan outputishaftex- .tending from said prime: mover ithrough :said innerv cylindrical portion. ofV said-"one end. cap member,a rotatablewheel housingdisposediabout said .prime-mover intermediatesaid .plate 'members said rotatable Wheel housing.tcomprisingaicylindrical portion havingan-adiallyinwardlyextendingzfiange adj acent oneend thereof,.'an.end5-20 f `rcylindrical portions, .said end closure member .being journaledonsaidione end cap member, ia :ring .gear :interposed betvveen Lsaidcylindrical portion'and said zend' closure member, lsaid radial- `ly1inwardly extendingflangef and said end closure member. deiining safchamber, a substantially 1U- shaped inverted iframe :member disposed:in vsaid chamber, the :bight portion of said IU- closurefmember securedl.tosaid oneend ,of said Vshaped iframe member =being "iixed to "saidweb portionsof. said one frame member, .1a .pinion fsecuredtosaid-outputv shaft, three rparallel spaced '.apart. layeshaits; the`ends of :said lay `shafts being journaledin the legs of said .inverted.,U -shaped 1 framezmernber, sa :fn'st compound gear journaledronitherst of saidlay shafts havingv a first gear portion meshing' withsaid pinion, saidfrstxcom- .pound'gear havingra'secondgear portion,aisecondcompound .gear journaled :on the second :of

said lay shafts having arst"geartportio-n` meshinga'vithsaid second gearportion :of said 'irst :compound geansaidzsecond .compound gear having"alsecondfgearportion, and a gear journaled .on theithirdisof said lay`shafts having vmeshing ..engagementwith-said: second gear portionofsaid secondicompound gear fand having `meshing engagement With-said ringgear.

v16. A-motorein-ivheel :construction comprising a .pair ofverticallyextending'spaced apart plate members, .arprime mover includinga casingidisposed 'intermediate said .plate members,v a pair. of

end 'capfmembers onersecured to. each end of said casing, oneof saidendcap members comprising ka `pair of coaxiallyaligned spaced kapart cylin-.drical portionsinterconnected by a web portion, means foi-:mountingsaid vend cap members to the adjacentplatemembers, an outputshaftextending'from said'prime lmover through said inner.cylindricalfportionof said one end cap member,

a rotatable Wheel housing disposed about said Vplate members, saidrotatable wheel housing comprising acylininwardly extendchamber, the.bight portion of said U-shaped framemember being 'nxed to said webportion :of ,said :one :frame member, a pinion secured to :sald outputshaft, Vthree Vparallel spaced vapart lay shafts, the ends of said layshafts ;being journaled in the legs of said inverted U-shaped framemember, the first of said lay shafts lying below a horizontal medianplane passing through said output shaft at one side of a vertical medianplane passing through said output shaft, the second of said lay shaftslying below said horizontal median plane in said vertical median plane,the third of said lay shafts lying below said horizontal median plane atthe opposite side of said vertical median plane as said first lay shaft,a first compound gear journaled on the first of said lay shafts having afirst gear portion meshing Iwith said pinion, said first compound gearhaving a second gear portion, a second compound gear journaled on thesecond of said lay shafts having a first gear portion meshing with saidsecond gear portion of said first compound gear, said second compoundgear having a second gear portion, and a gear journaled on the thirdofsaid lay shafts having meshing engagement with said second gearportion of said second compound gear and having meshing engagement withsaid ring gear.

17. A motor-in-wheel construction comprising, a pair of verticallyextending spaced apart plate members, a prime mover including a casingdisposed intermediate said plate members, a pair of end cap membershaving axially extending portions one secured to each end of saidcasing, one of said end cap members having an annular bead formed at theouter end of the axially extending portion adapted to seat within anopening in the adjacent plate member, a central cavity formed in saidone end cap member, a plurality of radially extending openings formed insaid one end cap member connecting with said central cavity, power linesextending through said cavity and radially extending openings and havingconnection with said prime mover for effecting operation of the latter,the axially extending portion of the other of said end cap memberscomprising a pair of coaxially aligned spaced apart cylindrical portionsinterconnected by a web portion, said other end cap member being axiallyspaced from the adjacent plate member, a pilot shaft having anintermediate portion disposed in an opening formed in the plate memberadjacent said other end cap member, said pilot shaft having a reducedportion extending into the opening in the outer cylindrical portion ofsaid other end cap member, means for mounting said pilot shaft to saidplate member, an output shaft extending from said prime mover throughsaid inner cylindrical portion of said other end cap member, a rotatablewheel housing disposed about said prime mover'intermediate of said platemembers, said rotatable wheel housing comprising a cylindrical portionhaving a radially inwardly extending flange adjacent one end there- 14of, an end closure member secured to said one end of said cylindricalportion, said end closure member being journaled on the outercylindrical portion of saidk other end cap member, a ring gearinterposed between said cylindrical portion and said end closure member,said radially inwardly extending fiange and said end closure memberdefining a chamber, a substantially U-shaped inverted frame memberdisposed in said chamber, the :bight portion of said U-shaped framemember being fixed to said web portion of said other end cap member, apinion secured to said output shaft, three parallel spaced apart layshafts, the ends of said lay shafts being journaled in the legs of saidinverted U-shaped frame member. the first of said lay shafts lying belowa horizontal median plane passing through said output shaft at one sideof a vertical median plane passing through said output shaft, the secondof said lay shafts lying below said horizontal median plane in saidvertical median plane, the third of said lay shafts lying below saidhorizontal median plane at the opposite side of said vertical medianplane as said first lay shaft, a first compound gear journaled on thefirst of said lay shafts having a first gear portion meshing with saidpinion, said first compound gear having a second gear portion, a secondcompound gear journaled on the second ofv said lay shafts having a firstgear portion meshing with said second gear portion of said firstcompound gear, said second compound gear having a second gear portion, agear journaled on the third of said lay shafts having meshing engagementwith said second gear portion of said second compound gear and havingmeshing engagement with said ring gear, and a tire mounted on saidrotatable Wheel housing.

FREDERICK E. HAWKINS. ROBERT LAPSLEY. GEORGE L. TURNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 513,859 Anderson Jan. 30, 1894600,383 Sherwood Mar. 8, 1898 834,879 Annable Nov. 6, 1906 1,313,537Jones Aug. 19, 1919 1,323,245 Borkes Dec. 2, 1919 2,066,779 Himmel Jan.5, 1937 2,403,170 `Chapman et a1 July 2, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 514,020 Great Britain Oct. 27, 1939

